Sukabumi Ratifies Sustainable Inland Fisheries Regulation
The Government of Sukabumi District West Java ratified the District Regulation on Fisheries Management and Sustainability of Fish Populations. The regulation—whose study was facilitated by Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and FAO through the IFish project—will regulate the governance and synergy of the parties to ensure sustainable management of inland aquatic resources in Sukabumi for a resilient food system.
Periodic data collection conducted by the IFish project since 2021 shows that around 40% of river fish catches in Sukabumi District are for family consumption. Another 11% is sold for additional income by the community around the river. This figure shows that rivers and other inland waters are important to support the fulfilment of nutrition and the livelihood of the people in the district.
"The wealth of fish resources in the inland waters of Sukabumi District must receive attention from all parties, because this district is a strategic route for eel migration. Therefore, Sukabumi District regulations must be developed on expert research and a science-based policy so that management steps in inland fisheries sector can be carried out in the long term, so that thecommunity may reap long term benefits," said Yayan Hikmayani, Head of the Centre of Fisheries Research, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
The IFish project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been working in Sukabumi District since 2018, through demonstration activities for Anguilla bicolor glass eel. Even now, the eel aquaculture industries rely on wild-caught glass eel with a very low life expectancy. This condition became the focus of the inland water fisheries management technical working group initiated by the IFish project. Based on inputs received from the parties, it was agreed that efforts to conserve eel and other inland water biodiversity require a comprehensive policy set forth in the form of a regional regulation.
Active involvement of the community, experts and the government
The District Regulation for Fisheries Management and Sustainability of Fish Resource Populations stipulates the obligation to construct fishways in every weir and dam in Sukabumi District. Fishways are very important for migratory fish species such as eels and fish with high economic value such as tor, boboso and tiger eel. Without fishways, the life cycle of these fish will be disrupted, contributing to their population decline.
"We appreciate the involvement of the community, experts and the government for drafting regulations for sustainable management of inland water fisheries. In addition to the district regulation that was signed today, MMAF and FAO through the IFish project also facilitated the preparation of the Eel Fisheries Management Master Plan in Sukabumi District. These two policies are expected to create integrated management of inland fisheries, as well as strong synergy between parties in the management and utilization of inland water resources, especially for eel fisheries," said Rajendra Aryal FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste.
The involvement of the local stakeholders in sustainable management of inland fisheries is an important highlight from this regulation. It regulates community involvement in supervision and monitoring of inland water fishery resources and building the capacity of the local community in conserving ecosystems and fish population. The private sector is also invited to be involved through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) financing, and in particular in aquaculture businesses that require special attention for endangered fish and local fish species.
"Formation of strong policies at the district level is very important to support central government programs and policies, especially President Regulation No. 87 of 2021 concerning the development of the Southern Part of West Java Province. And as one of the concrete steps for the local government of Sukabumi District for ecosystem conservation and fish populations—those with high conservation and/or important economic value. This is of course to ensure the welfare of the people who depend on inland water fisheries," as conveyed by Iyos Somantri, Deputy Regent of Sukabumi District.
Local government took representatives from MMAF, FAO, and Senior Coordinator for the FAO Global Environment Facility to several IFish project locations in Sukabumi on 14 and 15 January. The team witnessed the improvements made and had discussion with the local stakeholders on the best way to conserve inland ecosystems and mainstream sustainable management. In Cimarinjung, the group went to see how fishers captured glass eels and handling procedures, a step crucial for eel survival.
This year the IFish project will support the implementation the district regulation through community empowerment, collaboration with the private sector through CSR forums for sustainable financing, preparation of participatory inland water conservation area management action plans, as well as improving the community's economy through alternative income from aquaculture activities and conservation of inland water fisheries.
About IFish project
IFISH is a collaboration between the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and FAO to mainstream conservation value of inland aquatic biodiversity, and sustainable inland fisheries practices in freshwater ecosystems of high conservation values. These efforts are made to ensure the availability of environmental goods and services, especially for the livelihoods of the people who depend on freshwater ecosystems. Inland water fisheries are generally carried out by small-scale industries, and by the local communities along watersheds.
The IFish project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is one of the largest inland fisheries projects in Indonesia.